NCDMB to Train 3,700 Nigerian Youths in Digital Skills for Oil and Gas Industry
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced the launch of a comprehensive digitalisation training programme that will empower 3,700 young Nigerians with cutting-edge digital skills.
The initiative, rolled out under the NCDMB Digitalization Initiative (NDI), is designed to prepare the country’s youth for opportunities in the oil and gas sector as well as related industries increasingly shaped by emerging technologies.
Speaking on the programme, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe said the adoption of advanced digital tools is transforming global oil and gas operations. He listed Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Robotics, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Drones, and Blockchain as technologies already redefining the industry.
According to Ogbe, digital transformation enables improved productivity, cost optimisation, lower carbon emissions, and the adoption of automation and preventive facility management. He stressed that the Board remains committed to equipping the Nigerian supply chain to remain relevant in the evolving energy landscape.
Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services, added that the initiative is targeted at youth within the 35-year age bracket. He explained that the programme will provide opportunities for participants to build sustainable digital careers and contribute to the oil and gas value chain.
The training will run across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory over three years. Participants will gain hands-on experience in designing and developing market-relevant digital solutions to drive innovation and efficiency.
The pilot phase will feature 100 candidates, to be selected via the NOGIC JQS portal—the official database for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry capacities. Applicants will undergo a pre-selection test scheduled across the six geopolitical zones as follows:
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South East (Umuahia): September 30
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South South (Warri): October 3
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South West (Lagos): October 6
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North East (Kaduna): October 6
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North Central (Minna): October 9
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North West (Taraba): October 9
NCDMB described the initiative as a transformative journey aimed at positioning Nigerian youths at the heart of the digital future, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and expertise needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
